In Washington, following emotional testimony, the Snohomish County council voted 4-0 to ban the slaughter of horses for food, The Everett Herald reports.

The new law prevents slaughtering any equine known to be intended for human consumption and extends to any horse, pony, donkey or mule. Breaking the law could bring a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail. It would be considered a misdemeanor.

Councilman Dave Somers says there were humane and environmental reason for the new law. About two dozen people attended the hearing, most in support of the ban.

No horse slaughterhouses have legally operated anywhere in the United States since 2007, following Congress' decision to stop federal money from being used to inspect horses bound for slaughter. Recent changes in federal policy have created the opportunity to resume those inspections.

The market for horse meat is almost entirely overseas. For many Americans, eating horse is equivalent to eating a pet. However, it's widely consumed in parts of Europe and Asia. Even with a de facto ban on horse slaughterhouses, more than 100,000 U.S. horses are still exported each year for slaughter in Canada and Mexico.

Two Snohomish veterinarians at the hearing were divided on the issue. Dr. Hannah Mueller argues that while it's possible to humanely euthanize a horse, it's not possible to humanely slaughter one, because they trust people and are easily spooked.

Dr. Richard Guthrie says it's wrong to let hungry people starve when there's food available. "The question is not whether a horse will be eaten, but by whom?" he said. He also stated that he thinks slaughter is preferable to the animals being abandoned or neglected.

-- The Oregonian

Spokane Police Department training 2 rookie dogs

The Spokane Police Department is training two rookies to replace veteran police dogs.

Officer Jake Jensen describes Cruz as a fireball of energy who also plays with kids.

Kendall says Stryder helped catch more than 500 suspects in his nine-year career. But he's nearly 10 years old, which is the equivalent of about 70, so it's time to retire.

-- The Associated Press

Alaska man serving 213 years for murder dies in prison

KENAI, Alaska -- A Kasilof man serving 213 years for the murder of two Kenai Peninsula women more than a decade ago has died.

Alaska State Troopers say 71-year-old Robert Freeman died Sunday at the Anchorage Correctional Center.

The Peninsula Clarion reports Freeman, after a night at a bar on July 17, 1998, accompanied his girlfriend and two other women to his secluded cabin.

An argument broke out and Freeman used a handgun to shoot 33-year-old Jean Iwaszko of Kasilof and 28-year-old Tracy Eason of Soldotna.

Sharene Baker Christensen hid in the cabin and survived.

Freeman was convicted in December 1999 of two counts of murder and three counts of felony assault against witnesses. District attorney Dwayne McConnell said at the time it was lucky Freeman's gun held just four rounds.